It is very rare indeed for me to be totally speechless, I just stared at this white space for a long time. Devlyn, it is understood by all how many lives you help make better, as with mine, so I believe you already know you have that special place in my heart. To read this from start to finish affected me in ways I do not think I know how to understand yet. Coming from a family that has almost zero communication, I can at least understand the drifting apart. I have one remaining sister (thats it) and is the reason for coming to this section today(I'm at the point of telling her), I have not been here for awhile, many many new and different transition matters just kind of swallowed me up for the last few months. Maureen, what an incredible thing you are doing, your strength, courage, compassion, and willingness to take this risk in order to enlighten your perspective is beyond cool. My thoughts are with your mom, I lost mine 8 months after getting clean and sober (using for 32 years prior was my way of hiding), so you have my best. Wow, my day has changed, thanks to you all. Dani
P.S. I do understand the comments about the kleenex though, I'm just now beginning to have the ability to cry. Not possible all those years before.
